Types of Concrete Blocks

Introduction of Concrete Blocks

Concrete blocks are widely known as Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) This type of concrete blocks have some advantages with compare to brick and stone masonry blocks. This concrete blocks may be solid in shape or hollow

The normal size of concrete block is 39cm x 19cm x (30cm or 20 cm or 10cm) or 2/4/6/8/10/12 inches. Generally cement, aggregate (coarse and fine) and water is used to construct those concrete blocks. 1:6 is the cement-aggregate ratio where 60% is for fine aggregate and 40% is for fine aggregate.

The normal minimum strength of these blocks are 3N/mm2.

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Types of Concrete Blocks

Generally various types of concrete are available in the market, those types are

• Solid concrete block
• Hollow concrete block
• Concrete corner block
• Concrete stretcher block
• Jamb concrete block
• Partition concrete block
• Concrete pillar block
• Lintel blocks
• Bull nose concrete blocks
• Frogged brick block
• Paving blocks
• Light aerated concrete blocks
• Cellular lightweight concrete blocks
• Fly ash blocks
• Concrete bricks

1. Solid Concrete Blocks

Solid concrete blocks are widely used in the construction but they are very heavy in weight because it is manufactured from dense concrete.

This types of bricks are strong in nature and it provides good stability. Solid Concrete blocks are very suitable in load bearing structure and this is highly preferable. Solid concrete blocks are available in many size and this is generally larger than normal clay bricks.

2. Hollow Concrete Blocks

Hollow concrete blocks have more than 25% of gross concrete. This type of blocks are light weight and easy to install in  the construction site. Hollow concrete blocks are divided into several components and they are divided into some types, those are

3. Concrete Corner Block

This type of concrete blocks are used in the corner part of concrete masonry. These blocks are widely used in window and door openings. These blocks are laid in the same plane and locked with the other stretcher bond.

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4. Concrete Stretcher Block

Concrete stretcher blocks are also used the corner of the masonry. Concrete hollow blocks are widely used in the concrete stretcher block. Concrete stretcher blocks are laid with the parallel length to the face.

5. Jamb Concrete Block

In a building where a elaborated window opening is found then we use jamb concrete block. Stretcher and corner blocks are connected with the Jamb concrete block. In double hung window; jamb concrete blocks are used to provide some space for window members.

6. Partition Concrete Block

Partition are only constructed and used for partition purpose and the height o this type of block is slightly higher than the breadth of the block. These blocks are mainly hollow in nature and this hollow section are divided into two or three parts.

7. Concrete Pillar Blocks

Double corner block is the another name of concrete pillar block. It is generally used where two joints are clearly visible, this is only happens in pillar that’s why the name of the block is concrete pillar block.

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8. Lintel Blocks

This type of concrete blocks are used for constructing beam or lintel beam, it generally bears the upper portion load of door and window portion. These concrete blocks have a groove portion along with the length of the block. After placing the lintel blocks, it is filled with concrete and reinforcement to increase it’s strength.

9. Bull Nose Concrete Block

Bull nose concrete blocks are also used in the corner portion, the purpose of this type of block is also same. We only use this type of blocks when we want rounded edges at the corner.

10. Frogged Brick Blocks

This type of blocks have a frog portion on top surface of the block along with header and stretcher. Frog helps to hold the mortar and create a strong bond with another brick.

11. Paving Blocks

Paving blocks are generally square or rectangular in size and these blocks are constructed with reinforced cement concrete. Paving blocks are normally laid in the shoulder part of the highway and these are painted with the paint of high visibility to attract the automobile drivers.

These type of blocks are rigid in nature so it increases the probability of road accidents. Paving blocks are also used in the parks, parking area or sometime in the footpath of any road. The general dimension of the paving block is 60 mm.

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12. Light Aerated Concrete Blocks

Light aerated concrete blocks are lightweight in nature. These blocks are constructed with Portland cement, aggregates, sand, high quality, etc. So, they are produced using caerated concrete.

13. Cellular Lightweight Concrete Block

Cellular lightweight concrete blocks are also light weight in nature. These type of blocks have good mechanical strength and low thermal conductivity property. Cellular light weight concrete block are made of low density Portland cement which have a large variety with small air bubbles.

14. Fly Ash Blocks

Fly ash blocks are light weight than the clay bricks and they are also economical than those clay bricks. They are generally made from waste materials which are come from combustion of coals in thermal power plant.

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15. Concrete Blocks

Concrete blocks are small rectangular symmetric blocks which create a rigid wall. These bricks have greater compressive strength than normal clay bricks and also have less water absorption property tan the clay bricks.

Concrete bricks are generally made of cement, sand, slight amount of fly ash, etc. These type of blocks are generally used in facades, fences due to it’s beautiful and modern aesthetic look.

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Type of Concrete Blocks and Their Dimensions